# NTSB LAX87LA083: Cessna 172K, N7459, Lanai, HI, January 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1987, 10:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Lanai, HI
- Coordinates: 20.829748, -156.920867 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8297&lon=-156.9209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA083

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE CESSNA 172K NOSED OVER IN STRONG WINDS WHILE TAXIING FOR DEPARTURE ON RWY 3. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE WAS 'BACK TAXIING' ON RWY 3 WHEN THE WIND 'GOT UNDER WING, THEN UNDER TAIL, AND PLANE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.' THE PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM 030 DEGREES AT 25 KTS GUSTING TO 30 KTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED AT THE MOLOKAI AIRPORT LOCATED 23 NAUTICAL MILES TO THE NNW TO BE FROM 070 DEGREES AT 20 KTS GUSTING TO 25 KTS. THE OPERATORS MANUAL FOR THE CESSNA 172 INDICATES THE PLT SHOULD USE DOWN AILERON ON THE WING INTO THE WIND AND DOWN ELEVATOR WHEN TAXIING WITH QUARTERING TAILWINDS. THE MANUAL ALSO STATES, 'STRONG QUARTERING TAIL WINDS REQUIRE CAUTION. AVOID SUDDEN BURSTS OF THE THROTTLE AND SHARP BRAKING WHEN THE AIRPLANE IS IN THIS ATTITUDE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7459 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259159
- Airframe hours: 7400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pfeil,William F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1986
- Departed: LNY, LANAI, HI
- Destination: MKK, MOLOKAI, HI
- Airport: LNY, Lanai, runway 3, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 263 total, 263 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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